Crystal Lake South teams up for victory over Cary-Grove
A talented and unselfish team is tough to beat, and you don't have to tell that to Cary-Grove, which experienced it first-hand Saturday afternoon.
Dishing out 13 assists on 17 baskets, the team-oriented Crystal Lake South Gators were able to post a 54-48 victory over Cary-Grove in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls basketball action in Crystal Lake.
"We were very focused and very patient on offense," said Crystal Lake South coach Mark Mucha. "They over-played us a little and we did a good job of finding the open person and we got a lot of layups."
The offensive standout for the Gators was senior forward Kianna Clark, who poured in 17 points, snared 12 rebounds and dealt out 3 assists.
"We knew Cary-Grove over-played us, and I was able to get some layups," said Clark. "We have a very unselfish team. If someone is open, we get them the ball."
Mucha praised Clark's effort.
"Kianna is very athletic and she knows how to get open," said Mucha. "Kianna is the X factor on this team. If teams are going to defend Chanel (Fanter) heavy we know Kianna is very capable of picking up the slack."
Senior Hailee Massie did a stellar job defensively on Cary-Grove senior standout Katie Barker. Massie held Barker to 3 baskets and 13 points.
"Hailee is our feistiest kid and we thought she would do a good job on Katie Barker," said Mucha. "Hailee's one mission was to defend Barker and she did a great job. She forced her out of her comfort zone and made her take shots she wouldn't normally take."
After Cary-Grove (8-9, 2-2) took a quick 4-0 lead on a pair of baskets by Jen Pilut, the Gators responded with a 14-3 run to lead 14-7 after 8 minutes. During the run, Massie and Clark scored 4 points each and Chanel Fanter canned a 3 to beat the horn.
The Gators' biggest lead was 16, 49-33 after 2 free throws by Fanter with 3:23 left in the game.
The Trojans fought back and got back to within 5 at 51-46 on a 3 by Katie Sowa with 38 seconds left but couldn't get any closer.
Sowa equaled Barker with 13 and Pilut scored 12.
Joining Clark in double digits was Fanter with 13 points and 3 assists, and Gaby DeJesus scored 11 with 5 assists.
"It was too little too late," said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "We have some young pups and we are not trusting each other enough on offense and defense. That will come."